6.0 out of 10

East 27 St, Murray Hill

Ranked 2nd best street in Murray Hill
40.7425173567454 -73.9840771334204
Great for
  • Medical Facilities
  • Childcare
  • Clean & Green
  • Cost of Living
  • Internet Access
Not great for
  • Eating Out
  • Nightlife
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Neighborly Spirit
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  •  

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"A bit dull"

There's nothing particularly wrong with East 37th Street - a collection of increasingly modern high-rises just south of post-collegiate party town Murray Hill - but there's not terribly much right with it either. This neighborhood seems to have curiously forgotten to acquire a "scene" - striking in a city where every patch of land becomes a TriBeCa or a NoLiTa, or another trendy acronym. Rather, this part of Midtown East is terribly basic - you can find basic wings-and-sports bars like the Rodeo or the slightly more interesting Mad Hatter's Saloon, watch sports at McCormacks, or dine at basic Japanese, Italian, and French restaurants, but it all feels very by-the-numbers for this often vibrant city. (Although Turkish Kitchen, on 3rd Avenue, is a charming and homey exception.) The only real entertainment in this area is the Kips Bay Cinema, located at the street's Eastern end. While the high rises in this district may offer tenants stunning city views, unfortunately there's really not much to see here.
Pros
  • Skyscrapers
Cons
  • not near anything
  • Dead at night
  • Nothing to do
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
2yrs+

"Not much to do"

East 27th is a high- rise kind of street. And, as you head east the buildings seem to get newer. It's not much of a street, entertainment-wise. There's not much history in the area either. It's kind of a pass street outside of a quick jaunt west of Madison.

The corner of 5th Ave and 27th is the last sighting of the Dorothy Arnold of the famous disappearance of Dorothy Arnold scenario. A young heiress vanished from the face of the earth in the midst of one of the busiest corners in New York City -- it was even that busy in 1910 when the vanishing happened. I love tidbits like that because it makes that corner seem so eerily alive. You walk over it every day without taking the time to realize who stood on it a hundred years ago -- but, stories like that make me not take it for granted, I suppose. Directly across the street is a bar called 230 Fifth that has an outstanding view of the entire city. I highly recommend it.

The other corner of 27th and 5th houses the Museum of Sex. It's exactly what it sounds like: a museum of sex. Next door is the Gershwin Hotel -- it's a pretty cool hotel with some great original artwork. The corner of Madison houses The New York Life Building -- a really famous building with a rooftop pyramid: Stanford White was shot and killed in the Garden. There is a lot of history in this building and it's definitely interesting looking.

East of Madison is getting into Kip's Bay. Kip's Bay is a weird place because there is no neighborhood feel to it. It's all giant, new buildings for the most part. There are some bars and restaurants on the ground floor of the buildings, but there isn't anything really noteworthy. It's just not a place to hang out. Then it runs into Bellevue and I wouldn't recommend hanging out around there by any stretch.
Pros
  • Skyscrapers
Cons
  • Dead at night
  • Nothing to do
Recommended for
  • Professionals
5/5
2yrs+

"Nice Place to Settle"

East 27th Street is a nice place to settle into the city. It's close to everything and is only a block away from Madison Square Park. Because of it's location real estate is hard to come by but worth it if you can find it. The area can get heavily congested but walking to the amenities is easy and enjoyable. Barbecue and Jazz haven, Blue Smoke is located on the block and is almost worth moving into the area for; it is that good. The restaurant offers great atmosphere and amazing barbecue that rivals even the most authentic BBQ. The restaurant sells it's sauce by the bottle and if you are only visiting I would recommend buying some.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5
2yrs+

"Good Old B-B-Q"

I only eat my father’s barbecue. Fresh from Tulsa, Oklahoma, but East 27th Street is the home of Blue Smoke Restaurant and is apparently home of some of the cities best barbecue. Unfortunately, due to my bias, I was unable to try it, but the expressions of the happy patrons as they exited were a true testament to the goodness inside. There’s something so American about barbecue: the sauce, the meat, the lack of utensils, the wonder of eating something and it being important that it DOES ruin your shirt. What a perfect summer meal!


East 27th street is close to the following metro station: 6 at 25th street, and is accessible to many buses. Foot traffic is light and it is a good neighborhood for all people (who like to eat!).

Best Streets in Murray Hill

1

Lexington Ave

4.5/5
"Offers just about all you could ask for"
40.7451520380616 -73.980633427065
2

East 27 St

3/5
"Nice Place to Settle "
40.7425173567454 -73.9840771334204
3

Madison Ave

3/5
"Long, wear good shoes."
40.7474526230379 -73.9831859639574
4

East 37th St

3/5
"Actually pretty which is surprising for this area"
40.7476045664277 -73.9766814139304
5

East 40th St

3/5
"Ritzy Shops Near Park Ave."
40.7495364070816 -73.9755124639604
"Lively, but a bit dark"
40.7430119085033 -73.9843067387784
7

East 38th St

3/5
"Some gorgeous homes"
40.7480404995 -73.975802578354
8

East 39 St

2.5/5
"Big Buildings and little else"
40.748635492555 -73.9752874004532
9

East 30 St

2.5/5
"The Opposite of Lacking"
40.7445628249164 -73.9831765782236
10

East 28th St

2/5
"The Copper Chimney"
40.7433262225268 -73.9840785672877

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